Changing Lives were honoured and humbled to be named North East Charity of the Year at the prestigious North East Charity Awards last night.

We support 21,000 people to change their lives every year, including people experiencing homelessness, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, life-threatening addictions, barriers to employment and more.

We couldn’t do this life-changing work without the support of our army of dedicated supporters – our fabulous fundraisers, vital volunteers, generous donors, kind-hearted companies, superb…

On National Poetry Day, and as Recovery Month comes to an end, we wanted to share this wonderful poem that was written by a family member of someone who completed our 12-step addiction recovery programme. Thank you for these wonderful words and the picture they paint of the courage, companionship and support that people find in our drug and alcohol services across the UK.

Admission Free

On the railings of this Gateshead bridge
You’ll find kisses hanging there for all to view,
A thousand padlocks clinging to the wire
And each one signed
‘I love you’.

Not far away you’ll find a house
Where hugs and kisses of a different kind
Are offered an accepted by a…

A short film detailing the recovery journey of a Changing Lives client has been awarded third place in the national Recovery Street Film Festival 2017.

David Mishner, or Davy as he is known to friends, was supported through our 12-step recovery programme in North Tyneside and is now in paid employment with Changing Lives, helping other people who are facing drug or alcohol addiction.